Firearm magazine lock plate with contour matching grip insert

ABSTRACT

A floor plate assembly for a firearm magazine for use in automatic and semi-automatic weapons includes a floor plate having an open back, and the floor plate being structured and disposed for covering engagement over an open bottom of the firearm magazine, and a lock plate including a main plate portion and a grip insert member on a rear portion of the lock plate. The main plate portion is structured and disposed for sliding insertion through the open back end of the floor plate and between the open bottom of the magazine and the bottom of the floor plate. The grip insert member is structured and disposed to cover the open back end of the floor plate, while also matching the contour of the bottom end of the grip, thereby increasing comfort and control while also improving appearance of the firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to firearm magazine lock plates, floor plates, and extended floor plates with built in contour for matching the firearm grip applicable to magazines used in automatic and semiautomatic pistols.

Discussion of the Related Art

Magazine floor plates are typically locked onto the base of the magazine housing using a lock plate that is contained within the bottom of the magazine between the spring and floor plate. The lock plate contains a protruded shape that fits into a hole in the floor plate. The floor plate typically slides onto rails that extend from the lower sides of the magazine until the protrusion of the lock plate enters the hole in the floor plate under force of the magazine spring. The lock plate is shaped to fit into the bottom of the magazine housing with little front to rear movement after assembly. Since the lock plate fits so that there is little movement within the magazine housing and the protrusion from the lock plate enters the hole in the floor plate under spring force, the floor plate is securely fastened onto the magazine housing.

In many applications, especially where an extended floor plate is used to increase capacity, the floor plate extends beyond the bottom of the grip. In this case, the floor plate may be elongated to the rear and designed to follow the general contour of the grip as an extension of the grip. This method requires that the extended floor plate is cup shaped so that it is closed on all four sides which contributes to complicated and expensive tooling if typical attachment methods are to be used. Some firearms also offer the option of replaceable grip backstraps that change the rear contour of the lower firearm grip where it meets the magazine floor plate. In order to blend the contour of the back of the firearm grip with the magazine floor plate when the backstrap is replaced, the entire floor plate needs to be changed.

Another problem often associated with extended floor plates that are closed on all four sides is that the lock plate ends up deep in the floor plate. This situation requires that the lock plate be pushed up much further so that it clears the rear wall of the floor plate in order to unlock it for disassembly. This can make disassembly more difficult. It is also necessary that the lock plate have sides that protrude up into the magazine housing in order to effectively lock it into place. This takes up valuable additional space within the magazine housing that could be used for a larger spring and may cause interference with follower movement.

In some cases, the extended magazine or floor plate just ends up protruding further down from the bottom of the gun beyond the grip without matching the grips shape. This makes it less comfortable to hold as well as unsightly.

There is a need for a simple and versatile method of maintaining the contour of the grip of a firearm especially when an extended magazine floor plate is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an extended magazine floor plate and lock plate that when assembled matches the lower rear contour of the grip, while also providing a robust attachment. The lock plate extends out of the magazine between the rear lower edge of the magazine housing and the inside bottom surface of the magazine floor plate. A grip insert is part of the lock plate. The grip insert remains outside of the magazine housing after assembly and is shaped to match the grip of the firearm and can also double as a cover for an open magazine back when a three sided extended floor plate is used. This is all accomplished without the use of screws or other fasteners that may require a specific tool for assembly or disassembly.

In some cases, the floor plate may not be extended, but typical without extended length allowing the inside bottom surface of the floor plate to mate with the lower edges of the magazine housing. In this application, the main plate of the lock plate sneaks between the lower rear edge of the magazine housing and the top inside surface of the floor plate in the same way as if an extended floor plate was used, while the grip insert is shaped to match any unfilled shape that may be present under the rear of the firearm grip.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the bottom surface of the floor plate extends rearward beyond the back of the magazine housing so that the lock plate is also extended rearwardly and on top of the extended portion of the floor plate.

OBJECTS AND ADVNTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the forgoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly that is designed to match the contour of the rear grip of the firearm without the problems and tooling costs associated with a typical closed four-sided extended floor plate.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly wherein the lock plate is provided with a grip insert that is shaped to match the contour of the grip of the firearm at the lower rear end of the firearm grip, and to also fill the space between the bottom of the firearm grip and the floor plate.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly wherein the lock plate includes a grip insert on a rear end of the lock plate, and wherein the grip insert is shaped and configured to match the contour of an extended rear floor portion of the floor plate and a lower end of the firearm grip, while filling an open space between the bottom of the firearm grip and the extended portion of the floor plate.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly wherein the lock plate includes a grip insert on a rear portion for filling a space below the firearm grip, while following the contour of the bottom portion of the grip, to thereby provide increased comfort and control while also improving the appearance of the firearm.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly wherein the grip insert on the lock plate is removable from the lock plate and interchangeable and replaceable with different shaped grip inserts to match backstrap options or for individual magazine identification.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly which allows easy disassembly of magazines with extended floor plates.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly which minimizes space consumption inside the magazine so that the maximum volume is available for springs and bullets.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly and wherein the lock plate includes a grip insert on the rear end which covers an open space at the lower back end of the magazine.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly which simplifies tooling for manufacturing.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a firearm magazine floor plate and lock plate assembly which allows for assembly and disassembly of the magazine without the need for special tools.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top, rear perspective view of the floor plate of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is bottom, side perspective view of the floor plate;

FIG. 3 is a bottom, front perspective view of the lock plate of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top, rear perspective view of the lock plate;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a preassembled magazine, floor plate and lock plate;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the magazine with the floor plate and lock plate assembled in place;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a grip backstrap;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a firearm with the magazine installed;

FIG. 8A is a detail view taken from the area indicated as 8A in FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a firearm with the magazine installed and an optional grip backstrap installed, shown without the grip insert modified to match the grip backstrap;

FIG. 9A is a detail view taken from the area indicated as 9A in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a firearm with the magazine installed and with a floor plate that is not extended, and further wherein the lock plate with grip insert is removed to reveal a void or unfilled area below the rear of the firearm grip; and

FIG. 10A is a detail view taken from the area indicated as 10A in FIG. 10.

GENERAL PARTS DESCRIPTION

Reference # Description 10 Floor Plate Assembly 20 Floor Plate 25 Bottom of Floor Plate 26 Receiving Hole 27 Lengthened Floor Portion 22, 23 Side Walls of Floor Plate 24 Front Wall of Floor Plate 28 Slots on Side Walls of Floor Plate 30 Lock Plate 31 Main Plate 32 Locking Protrusion 34 Grip Insert 36 Side Contour of Grip Insert 40 Magazine Housing 42 Magazine Base Flanges 50 Grip Backstrap 60 Firearm 62 Firearm Grip

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The floor plate assembly of the present invention is generally indicated as 10 and includes a floor plate and a lock plate. The floor plate is generally indicated as 20 throughout the drawings and may be comprised of any rigid material. The floor plate 20 has opposite side walls 22, 23, a front wall 24, a bottom 25, and an open back end. The bottom 25 has a thru receiving hole 26 and a lengthened floor portion 27 that extends beyond the two side walls 22, 23 at the rear to approximate vertical alignment with the firearm grip 62 when the magazine 40 is installed in the firearm 60.

The lock plate is generally indicated as 30 throughout the drawings. The lock plate 30 is comprised of the main plate 31, a locking protrusion 32, and a grip insert 34. The magazine spring (not shown) may also be attached to the lock plate 30.

The locking protrusion 32 may be a feature that is integrally formed with the main plate 31 or it may be a separate part that is assembled onto the main plate 31.

The grip insert 34 may be either permanently attached or removable and replaceable to the lock plate 30. The grip insert 34 follows the contour of the lengthened floor portion 27 of the bottom 25 of the floor plate 20 at the rear and lofts up to fill the area below the firearm grip 62 and match the lower rear surface of the firearm grip 62 when the lock plate 30 is inserted into the firearm 60.

To assemble the floor plate 20 onto the magazine housing 40, the floor plate 20 receives the magazine base flanges 42, of which there is one on each side of the magazine housing 40, into slots 28 in the inner facing sides of the floor plate 20. The lock plate 30 is inserted underneath the back edge of the magazine housing 40 and over the bottom inside surface 25 of the floor plate 20. The lock plate 30 is inserted until the locking protrusion 32 snaps into the receiving hole 26 in the floor plate 20 under the force of the magazine spring. When the lock plate 30 is in this locked position, the grip insert 34 is in approximate contact with the rear surface of the magazine housing 40.

Once assembled, the grip insert 34 acts to close the opening at the back end of the three sided floor plate 20. Since the lock plate 30 is attached to the floor plate 20, with the locking protrusion 32 in the receiving hole 26, the grip insert 34 also acts as a stop against the back of the magazine housing 40 to keep the floor plate 20 secure and from moving forward and off of the magazine housing 40.

The grip insert 34 may be designed to be removable and replaceable on the lock plate 30 using various snapping or fastening methods so it can be changed as necessary to match the shape of different grip backstraps 50 that are often available or for any other desirable reason, such as magazine numbering for identification or different logos.

To disassemble the magazine, the locking protrusion 32 must be pushed with a narrow object the same way that is typical of most un-extended magazines. Since the back end of the floor plate 20 is open, it is only necessary to push the locking protrusion 32 until it clears the bottom inside surface 25 of the floor plate 20 as opposed to the necessity of pushing it up beyond the rear wall of a four-sided closed extended floor plate design, as mentioned above.

While the invention has been shown and described in accordance with one or more embodiments thereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is not to be limited except as defined in the following claims as interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A floor plate assembly for attachment to an open bottom of a firearm magazine for use in a firearm having a grip, the floor plate assembly comprising: a floor plate including opposite sides, a front end, a bottom having an inner surface, and an open back end, and the floor plate being sized, structured and disposed for covering engagement over the open bottom of the magazine; and a lock plate including a main plate portion structured and disposed for sliding insertion through the open back end of the floor plate and between the open bottom of the magazine and the inner surface of the bottom of the floor plate to thereby assemble the floor plate assembly, and the lock plate further including a grip insert member on a rear end of the lock plate, and the grip insert member being shaped, structured and configured to match the contour of a bottom end of the grip of the firearm, and to fill an open gap below the bottom end of the firearm grip when the floor plate assembly is assembled to the open bottom of the magazine and the magazine is installed in the firearm, thereby providing increased comfort and control to the user when gripping and firing the firearm and improving the appearance of the firearm.
 2. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the grip insert member on the lock plate is structured and disposed for covering the open back end of the floor plate when the lock plate is assembled with the floor plate.
 3. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein the floor plate includes a lengthened rear floor portion extending beyond the open back end; and the grip insert member being structured and configured to fill an open gap between the bottom end of the firearm grip and the lengthened rear floor portion of the floor plate.
 4. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein the grip insert member is shaped, structured and configured to match the contour of the bottom end of the grip of the firearm and the lengthened rear floor portion of the floor plate.
 5. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the grip insert member is removably attachable to the lock plate.
 6. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 5 further comprising a plurality of grip insert members each being structured and disposed for selective interchanged attachment to the lock plate.
 7. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the floor plate is structured and disposed for sliding attachment onto a bottom portion of the firearm magazine to cover the open bottom of the magazine.
 8. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 7 further comprising: a protruding locking member on the bottom surface of the main plate portion of the lock plate; and a receptacle formed in the bottom of the floor plate for fitted receipt of the protruding locking member therein upon full insertion of the lock plate between the inner surface of the bottom of the floor plate and the open bottom of the magazine thereby being fully assembled.
 9. A floor plate assembly for attachment to an open bottom of a firearm magazine for use in a firearm having a grip, the floor plate assembly comprising: a floor plate including opposite sides, a front end, a bottom having an inner surface, and an open back end, and the floor plate being sized, structured and disposed for covering engagement over the open bottom of the magazine, the floor plate including a lengthened rear floor portion; and a lock plate including a main plate portion structured and disposed for sliding insertion through the open back end of the floor plate and between the open bottom of the magazine and the inner surface of the bottom of the floor plate to thereby assemble the floor plate assembly, and the lock plate further including a grip insert member on a rear end of the lock plate, and the grip insert member being shaped, structured and configured to match the contour of a bottom end of the grip of the firearm, and to fill an open gap between the bottom end of the firearm grip and the lengthened rear floor portion of the floor plate when the floor plate assembly is assembled to the open bottom of the magazine and the magazine is installed in the firearm, thereby providing increased comfort and control to the user when gripping and firing the firearm and improving the appearance of the firearm.
 10. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the grip insert member is shaped, structured and configured to match the contour of the bottom end of the grip of the firearm and the lengthened rear floor portion of the floor plate.
 11. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the grip insert member is removably attachable to the lock plate.
 12. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 11 further comprising a plurality of grip insert members each being structured and disposed for selective interchanged attachment to the lock plate.
 13. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the floor plate is structured and disposed for sliding attachment onto a bottom portion of the firearm magazine to cover the open bottom of the magazine.
 14. The floor plate assembly as recited in claim 13 further comprising: a protruding locking member on the bottom surface of the main plate portion of the lock plate; and a receptacle formed in the bottom of the floor plate for fitted receipt of the protruding locking member therein upon full insertion of the lock plate between the inner surface of the bottom of the floor plate and the open bottom of the magazine thereby being fully assembled. 